CICA Addresses 7th Asia Forward Series

The Institute of Asian Studies, Chulalongkorn University, in collaboration with the Program Management Unit on Area-Based Development (PMU A), organized a special lecture on future paradigms for Asia under the 7th Asia Forward Series, titled “From Corridors to Confidence: Central Asia, the Middle Corridor, and Asia’s New Connectivity Architecture” on Thursday, February 26, 2026, at Room 105, Maha Chulalongkorn Building, Chulalongkorn University.

Prof. Dr. Wilert Puriwat, President of Chulalongkorn University, delivered the welcoming remarks. The keynote lecture was presented by Ambassador Kairat Sarybay, Secretary General of the Conference on Interaction and Confidence Building Measures in Asia (CICA). The session was moderated by Associate Prof. Surat Horachaikul from the Institute of Asian Studies, Chulalongkorn University. This was followed by a panel discussion on “Peacebuilding and Cooperation in a Fragile World,” featuring distinguished experts. The event attracted strong interest from faculty members, diplomats, and members of the public.

Assoc. Prof. Pavika Sriratanaban, Director of the Institute of Asian Studies, Chulalongkorn University, noted that the Asia Forward Series has been held continuously for over a year. The initiative aims to serve as a bridge to society by raising awareness and encouraging open dialogue. Over the past year, the Institute has taken pride in successfully linking policy-level engagement to concrete area-based implementation.

She emphasized that the 7th Asia Forward Series is particularly significant amid shifting global geopolitics, which present new challenges and demand fresh approaches for positioning Thailand on the global stage. This edition highlighted Central Asia and the Middle Corridor—key strategic regions in the transformation of global geography. Although historically regarded as landlocked, Central Asia has now become a vital hub of air and land connectivity stretching from Russia and China to Europe, with notable strengths in energy, green technology, and infrastructure.

The event was honored by the presence of Ambassador Kairat Sarybay, Secretary General of CICA, who delivered the keynote address titled “From Connectivity to Confidence.” His participation reaffirmed the role of the Institute of Asian Studies, Chulalongkorn University, as a “think tank” entrusted by Thailand’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs to strengthen engagement with Central Asia. CICA is a multilateral intergovernmental forum comprising 28 member states, including Thailand, dedicated to building confidence for peace and security across Asia.

Read more at: https://www.chula.ac.th/en/news/290767/